Wit 3.0, a novel gene to control soft tissue wound healing

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of treatment to improve wound healing and to minimize / prevent abnormal scarring caused by tissue contraction and fibrosis formation by providing a specific gene, Wit 3.0 alpha and beta sequences that is differentially expressed in wounded oral mucosa cells, relative to their decreased expression in non-wounded oral mucosa cells. One aspect of the invention is a method to treat soft tissue wound using anti-sense nucleic acid technologies. Another aspect of the present invention is a method to treat soft tissue wound using sense nucleic acid technologies. These methods can employ a complimentary nucleic acid sequence that is greater than 85% identity to Wit 3.0 alpha and / or beta sequences or greater than 90% identity to the deduced amino acids thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]This invention relates generally to the identification of a novel gene, Wit 3.0, and its use in wound healing. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and compositions of treatment including, but not limited to, adult skin wound healing, soft tissue wound healing and oral mucosa wound healing.[0003]Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes Wit 3.0, a gene, differentially expressed in oral mucosa tissues undergoing wound healing.[0004]The present invention also provides for methods of administering Wit 3.0 to incisional and / or excisional soft tissue wounds. Delivery of Wit 3.0 is in antisense form, or alternatively, in sense form.[0005]2. Description of the Related Art[0006]By definition, a wound disrupts the normal epithelial barrier, which is the first line of defense against invading microorganisms. Wound healing typically results after surgery or other injuries to the tissue and involves a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method for improving wound healing and preventing abnormal scarring caused by tissue contraction and fibrosis formation. This is achieved by providing a specific gene, Wit 3.0 alpha or SEQ ID NO: 1, that is differentially expressed in wounded oral mucosa cells, relative to non-wounded cells. The invention also provides a specific gene, Wit 3.0 beta, or SEQ ID NO: 3, that is differentially expressed in wounded oral mucosa cells. The invention further provides a method for treating soft tissue wound using anti-sense nucleic acid technologies to reduce the up-regulation of these genes and prevent soft tissue scar formation. The invention also provides a treatment for improving edentulous oral mucosa wound healing using sense nucleic acid technologies to increase the synthesis of peptides encoded by these genes and encourage initial wound margin closure.

Problems solved by technology

Therefore, the failure of these cellular and molecular events produces abnormal scarring.

Examples of abnormal scarring include keloid formation, which is an accumulation of larger than normal amounts of collagen at the wound site creating a protruding scar; proud flesh, which is an abnormal increase in the amount of granulation tissue that blocks reepithelialization; contracture formation, which is immobilized tissue resulting in undesirable fixed, rigid scars that can limit normal range of motion; and fibrosis, which is abnormal connective tissue resulting from myofibroblast activity in the extended wound.

Other factors also undermine normal wound healing repair mechanisms.

In particular, systemic disease, medications, and behavioral factors such as smoking and diet can impede the normal wound repair response.

For example, diabetes and peripheral vascular disease impair the formation of healthy granulation tissue such as collagen.

Medications such as immunosuppressants can inhibit the inflammatory response and delay wound healing.

It has also been postulated that the adult skin wound lacks initial wound closure mechanisms and tends to create excess tissue contraction and / or fibrosis formation in the later healing stages.

Although, minimal scarring has been observed in fetal skin and oral mucosa, to date, the molecular mechanisms involved in the fetal skin and oral mucosa wound closure have not been elucidated.

Another disadvantage of the existing formulations containing various growth factors is that the particular factor(s), which offer the greatest benefit in wound healing, cannot be specifically determined.

Moreover, effects of multiple growth factors may be potentially adverse on distant organs.

However, these same factors can also enhance neovascularization in areas where it is undesirable, such as accelerating the growth of any benign or malignant tumor.

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